GDC and Yonkers mayor Spano unveil plans for new park in Greystone

Yonkers, NY Ginsburg Development Companies joined with mayor Mike Spano to unveil plans to create a park in the Greystone neighborhood that will link Warburton Ave. to the Old Croton Aqueduct State Trail.

The new park, which will be located across from GDC’s River Tides at Greystone rental development, will feature a stairway and paths that will wind through the park which will be landscaped with benches, gardens and shrubs. The park is scheduled to open next spring.

The cost of the project, estimated to be $1 million, would be shared equally by GDC and the city of Yonkers with GDC doing the design and a portion of the construction work. The property, a former development site, was clear cut during the last development boom which led to mudslides and other neighborhood nuisances. When the recession hit the neighborhood was left with an eyesore. Mayor Mike Spano and councilman Michael Sabatino worked together with the Yonkers Community Development Agency (YCDA) and the city to swap the property on Warburton with other development property.  A parcel on the corner of Hawthorne, Buena Vista and Prospect Sts. was identified and swapped. That location has approvals for a 200-unit residential high-rise.   

 “We are delighted to work with mayor Spano in creating this beautiful public park that will provide residents of the Greystone neighborhood with access to the Old Croton Aqueduct State Trail,” said GDC principal Martin Ginsburg. “The residents of the Greystone neighborhood have been very understanding during the construction of our River Tides project. This is our way of saying thank you to the community,” he added.

“Working with Ginsburg Development, this is a clear example of a successful public private partnership resulting in the improvement of the lives of those who live, work and play in the area,” said  Spano. “We are giving back this open, green space to our residents and providing them direct access to the Old Croton Aqueduct State Trail, which will enhance their quality of life and neighborhood – it’s a win-win for all,” he added. 

“It was my pleasure to work with the residents, GDC and the city of Yonkers to get this parcel dedicated as park land. This was a very important give back to the neighborhood. I complement GDC’s efforts of supplying funding and a design for the park. I want to thank Martin Ginsburg and the GDC team for executing this project and as well as the accessible path to the train for the residents. I also want to commend the resident leaders in the area for assisting in this process,” said Council majority leader Michael Sabatino. 

GDC has a tradition of creating public spaces at many of its developments. Its Harbor Sq.development on the Hudson River in Ossining features a public park with monumental sculptures. Across the river in Haverstraw, GDC has created an extensive waterfront promenade with sculptures for several of its luxury rental developments. 

For The Lofts at Saw Mill River rental in Hastings-on-Hudson, GDC dedicated to the village 1.8 acres of open space for a park that includes a pedestrian bridge to the South County Trailway which runs by the property.

In downtown White Plains, GDC’s City Sq. development near the Metro-North train station will feature a new City Sq. private park deck with a fountain, seating, a putting green, a BBQ Pavilion and a 2,000-step, 4-level walking path with landscaping and sculptures.

For its Fort Hill Apartments at The Abbey Inn in Peekskill, GDC donated 52 acres to expand the historic Fort Hill Park which will feature a variety of existing and new hiking trails.